Victoria opened her arms with a bright smile.
"Sweetheart..."
"Come to Mommy."
Noah looked at both women.
For a long moment...
He didn't move.
Guests watched nervously.
Lawyers quietly prepared their notes.
Then Noah began running.
Victoria smiled.
Certain he was coming to her.
But at the last second...
He ran straight past her.
Without slowing down, Noah threw himself into Grace's arms.
She immediately wrapped him in a tight embrace.
"Noah..."
"Honey, what happened?"
The little boy buried his face against her shoulder and began sobbing uncontrollably.
His tiny voice shook with emotion.
"She's the only one..."
"...who stayed."
Several people in the courtroom wiped away tears.
Even the judge lowered her head.
Victoria's smile disappeared.